Meanings of 長
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About 長
Podcast: 長
Podcast: 長
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AI Study Notes for 長
长 (zhǎng) vs 久 (jiǔ) — use 长 for physical length or duration, while 久 specifically refers to a long time in terms of duration.
Imagine a long snake (長) stretching out under the sun. The sun represents excellence and growth, as it helps plants and creatures thrive. The long shape of the character visually reflects its meaning of length.
Be mindful of the tone, as the third tone (zhǎng) can be confused with the second tone (zhang) in rapid speech. In informal contexts, it's often used to describe something that is physically long, while in formal contexts, it can denote excellence or superiority. Common collocations include 長時間 (long time) and 長官 (officer, superior).
Although this character is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with HSK Level 3 vocabulary about time and distance. Focus on using it in sentences discussing time duration or comparing lengths to enhance understanding.
In Chinese culture, the concept of longevity (長壽) is highly valued, and this character is often associated with wishes for a long life, especially in celebrations like birthdays. The character reflects a deep cultural appreciation for enduring qualities.
Learners often confuse 長 (zhǎng) with 短 (duǎn), which means 'short.' For example, saying '這個房間很短' (This room is very short) instead of '這個房間很長' (This room is very long) is a common error.
Pronunciation of 長
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Etymology of 長
Pictograph of a person with long hair. The simplified character 长 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 長.
An old man with long hair and a cane
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 長?
Write 長
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Practice writing 長 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 長
In Chinese culture, the concept of longevity (長壽) is highly valued, and this character is often associated with wishes for a long life, especially in celebrations like birthdays. The character reflects a deep cultural appreciation for enduring qualities.
Word Family of 長
Compound Meaning
What does 长 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 長
You can say '這條河很長' (This river is very long) to describe physical length.